Device for closing a container to make the container reusable

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for selectively maintaining a container in a closed position. The apparatus includes a connection mechanism couplable to a container. The container includes a bottom, a top, and sides. The top includes a first flap and a second flap. The first flap includes a first hinge end and a first edge opposite the first hinge end. The second flap includes a second hinge end and a second edge opposite the second hinge end. The first and second hinge ends are each connected to a side of the container. The connection mechanism extends substantially along a first edge of the first flap. The first edge is adjacent to a second edge of the second flap when the first and second flaps are in a closed position. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes the tab of the connection mechanism being fixedly coupled to the first flap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a connection mechanism couplable to a container, the container comprising a bottom, a top, and sides, the top comprising a first flap and a second flap, the first flap comprising a first hinge end and a first edge opposite the first hinge end, the second flap comprising a second hinge end and a second edge opposite the second hinge end, the first and second hinge ends are each connected to a side of the container, the connection mechanism extending substantially along a first edge of the first flap, wherein the first edge is adjacent to a second edge of the second flap when the first and second flaps are in a closed position, and wherein the connection mechanism comprises:
 a tab couplable along the first edge of the first flap; and 
 a channel opposite the tab configured to enclose a portion of the second flap along a substantial portion of the second edge, 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in an open position the tab remains coupled to the first flap, and 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in the closed position the channel maintains the second edge in the channel while the tab remains coupled to the first flap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tab of the connection mechanism is fixedly coupled to the first flap. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tab is fixedly coupled to the first flap by:
 an adhesive strip;   a mechanical fastener, wherein the mechanical fastener is a staple, clamp, and/or brad fastener;   a hook and loop mechanism; and/or   an adhesive.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises an upper wall and a lower wall forming a channel there between, the upper wall extending away from the tab a longer distance than the lower wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises an upper wall and a lower wall forming a channel therebetween, the lower wall comprising a tapered Sedge such that the channel is wider at an opening of the channel than interior portions of the channel beyond the tapered edge. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is a first channel and the tab is a first tab and further comprising a second tab, the first tab and the second tab forming a second channel therebetween, the second channel configured to couple to the first flap by a friction fit. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection mechanism comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel maintains the second flap within the channel when the first flap and the second flap are in the closed position, a depth of the channel is configured to allow the second flap to enter the channel without creasing the second flap. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap, detachably coupled to opposite sides of the container, such that the strap maintains one of the bottom in a closed position or the first and second flaps in the closed position, the bottom comprising a third flap and a fourth flap, the third flap comprising a third hinge end and an third edge opposite the third hinge end, the fourth flap comprising a fourth hinge end and a fourth edge opposite the fourth hinge end, the third and fourth hinge ends are each connected to a side of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap extending from one or both sides of the connection mechanism and detachably couplable to one or both sides of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the strap is configured to be detachably couplable to the connection mechanism and the opposite sides of the container such that the strap maintains the top of the container in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the strap is a first strap and extends from a first side of the connection mechanism and further comprising a second strap extending from a second side of the connection mechanism, wherein each of the first and second straps is configured to be detachably couplable to the connection mechanism and/or one of opposite sides of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two or more hook and loop fasteners, each hook and loop fastener comprising a first portion couplable to a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises tapered edges on each end and the second portion has ends configured to connect with corresponding tapered edges of the first portion that are wider than the tapered edges of the first portion, wherein the two or more hook and loop fasteners are positioned between the flaps of the top of the container and/or between flaps of the bottom of the container to hold the flaps of the top and/or the flaps of the bottom together. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 a connection mechanism couplable to a container, the container comprising a bottom, a top, and sides, the top comprising a first flap and a second flap, the first flap comprising a first hinge end and a first edge opposite the first hinge end, the second flap comprising a second hinge end and a second edge opposite the second hinge end, the first and second hinge ends are each connected to a side of the container, the connection mechanism extending substantially along a first edge of the first flap, wherein the first edge is adjacent to a second edge of the second flap when the first and second flaps are in a closed position, and wherein the connection mechanism comprises:
 a tab couplable along the first edge of the first flap; 
 a channel opposite the tab configured to enclose a portion of the second flap along a substantial portion of the second edge, 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in an open position the tab remains coupled to the first flap, and 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in the closed position the channel maintains the second edge in the channel while the tab remains coupled to the first flap; and 
 one or more straps extending from sides of the connection mechanism to at least one of opposite sides of the container, wherein the one or more straps are couplable to one or both of the opposite sides of the container. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more straps are fixed to the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more straps are removably coupled to the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein one of:
 the one or more straps comprises a single strap coupled to the connection mechanism, wherein a length of the single strap exceeds a length of the connection mechanism and the single strap is configured to be couplable to both of the opposite sides of the container; or   the one or more straps comprises two straps, wherein each of the two straps is couplable to the connection mechanism and to one of the opposite sides of the container.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more straps comprise a pliable material. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising two or more hook and loop fasteners, each hook and loop fastener comprising a first portion couplable to a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises tapered edges on each end and the second portion has ends configured to connect with corresponding tapered edges of the first portion that are wider than the tapered edges of the first portion, wherein the two or more hook and loop fasteners are positioned between flaps of the top of the container and/or between flaps of the bottom of the container to hold the flaps of the top and/or the flaps of the bottom together. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 a connection mechanism, couplable to a container top, the container top comprising a first flap and a second flap, the first flap comprising a first hinge end and a first edge opposite the first hinge end, the second flap comprising a second hinge end and a second edge opposite the second hinge end, the first and second hinge ends are each connected to a side of the container, the connection mechanism extending substantially along a first edge of the first flap, wherein the first edge is adjacent to a second edge of the second flap when the first and second flaps are in a closed position, and wherein the connection mechanism comprises:
 a tab couplable along the first edge of the first flap; 
 a channel opposite the tab configured to enclose a portion of the second flap along a substantial portion of the second edge, 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in an open position the tab remains coupled to the first flap, and 
 wherein when the first and second flaps are in the closed position the channel maintains the second edge in the channel while the tab remains coupled to the first flap; and 
 straps extending from the connection mechanism to opposite sides of the container, wherein the straps are couplable to the opposite sides of the container; 
   one or more of:
 a strap, detachably couplable to opposite sides of the container such that the strap maintains a container bottom of the container in a closed position; and 
 two or more hook and loop fasteners, each hook and loop fastener comprising a first portion couplable to a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises tapered edges on each end and the second portion has ends configured to connect with corresponding tapered edges of the first portion that are wider than the tapered edges of the first portion, wherein the two or more hook and loop fasteners are positioned between third and fourth flaps of the container bottom and corresponding flaps interior to the container on the container bottom and maintain the third and fourth flaps in the closed position.